Gophers vs. Wisconsin • 1:30 p.m. in Hamden, Conn. • BTN
Third title showdown for rivals
Preview: Minnesota (32-5-1) has won six NCAA titles yet has never had a season where a goalie platoon stuck all season. Goaltenders Alex Gulstene and Sydney Scobee each took the reins, making Sunday's starter a tough decision for coach Brad Frost. Gulstene started the Frozen Four semifinal while Scobee played against Princeton. Eight seniors have won an NCAA title. One senior, Kelly Pannek, has been part of two. Wisconsin (34-4-2) has not won a national championship since 2011, ending a run of four NCAA titles in six seasons. The Badgers defeated Clarkson 5-0 on Friday to advance to its second championship game since and will serve as the home team.
Players to watch: Grace Zumwinkle leads Minnesota with 25 goals while Sarah Potomak leads the team with six postseason points. Wisconsin features five Minnesotans — Breanna Blesi (Maple Grove), Grace Bowlby (Edina), Presley Norby (Minnetonka), Sophia Shaver (Wayzata) and Mekenzie Steffen (Centerville). Pannek and Shaver were the top two 2018 NWHL draft picks, by the Minnesota Whitecaps.
Numbers: Minnesota's offense led the nation with 4.21 goals per game. Badgers redshirt senior Annie Pankowski, a finalist for the 2019 Patty Kazmaier Award, has scored eight goals in five postseason games. The two teams have met twice for the NCAA championship, with Wisconsin (2006) and Minnesota (2012) each winning one.
Nathan Wells
